Barbara Jean Harvey, 92, from Lead, SD passed away peacefully early on November 9, 2023. She was born May 16, 1931, in Lead to Joseph and Rose (Carroll) Gengler, the oldest of nine siblings. Except for the last three years, she lived almost her whole life in Lead. She attended St Patrick's Catholic School and Lead High School graduating in 1949.  She remained a member of St Patrick's Church all her life. Her faith was very important to her, and we are so grateful for her passing it along to us.  Mom attended St Mary's Nursing School/Mayo Clinic and earned her Registered Nursing degree in 1952.

Mom met Dad, Robert Harvey, of Spearfish at a dance in 1953. They married on December 27, 1954, and danced as often and wherever they could for 66 years. They immediately started their family of five children. She began her nursing career at Homestake Hospital in Lead, then St Joseph's Hospital in Deadwood and Twin City Nursing Home. She continued her nursing long into retirement as a Hospice nurse. Mom was a servant at heart. Despite having five kids and working part-time she volunteered regularly: at church singing, serving Communion, and bringing Communion to the homebound. She worked at the Lord's Cupboard and with her Bid-a-Wee group. Her Hospice work was all volunteer at the time.  She cared for the elderly even into her 80s!

Mom graced us all with handmade quilts, especially for weddings and graduations. She enjoyed playing bridge, smoked us all at Scrabble, and was a lifelong cribbage player who won almost every game!  She was thoughtful, empathetic, always worried about her kids, warm breakfast-making, very hard-working mom. She never lost her patience and prayed for us all endlessly. Thank you, Mom!

Mom and Dad bought our beloved cabin on Hanna Road in the early 60's with five kids on board. With the help of us kids (!) and a lot of very good friends and relatives, they rebuilt it over the years into a 4-season home where they spent their retirement, and it remains a place we all love to come home to for comfort. She loved making wood stove waffles for anyone who came to the cabin and always had a full cookie jar. We spent every summer at the cabin working many of them at nearby Wickiup Cabin Camp to send us through college and save up for family ski trips.

Mom learned to snow ski in her early 30's when Dad got us all started. She loved to ski, and we spent every winter weekend on the slopes. Mom and Dad skied into their 70's. They also loved to travel and were blessed to see 6 of the 7 continents in retirement. They danced many nights away on those trips.

Mom is survived by her five children: Donald (Shirley) of Lead, Diana (Bob) Ringling of Lead, Lynn (Matt) Simmons of Rapid City, SD, Karen (Gene) Eidsness of Stanwood, WA, and David (Carol) Harvey of Arlington, WA. Also, her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her husband, her parents, one great-grandchild, Kyle James Harvey, and all eight siblings: Ted, Ron, Rosie, Vicki, David, John, Joel, and Steve.

Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, November 15 at 10:30 am at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Lead, SD. There will be a Celebration of Mom's life next summer.

Memorial donations may be sent to The Lord's Cupboard in Lead or St Patrick's Church in Lead or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com